Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — The high court allowed Mary Jane Veloso to testify against her alleged illegal recruiters from Indonesia.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Veloso could give her testimony before the Philippine Consular Office and Indonesian officials, reversing a decision from the Court of Appeals.
Veloso was arrested in an Indonesian airport in 2010 when authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. She is currently in jail, serving a death sentence. She was given a reprieve from execution by firing squad in 2015, following an appeal from then President Benigno Aquino.
The overseas Filipino worker claimed that she was a victim of drug trafficking and illegal recruitment. Her alleged recruiters, Maria Kristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao are currently facing charges of illegal recruitment, human trafficking, and estafa.
READ: Mary Jane Veloso: Job search ends in death row
The Court ruled in favor of Veloso’s right to testify from Indonesia, citing her inability to leave prison.
“Her imprisonment in Indonesia and the conditions attached to her reprieve denied her of any opportunity to decide for herself to voluntarily appear and testify before the trial court in Nueva Ecija where the cases of the respondents of illegal recruitment were pending,” the Supreme Court said in a statement.
Veloso’s parents in 2018 had appealed to the Supreme Court to allow her to testify from Indonesia.
READ: Mary Jane Veloso’s parents urge SC to allow her to testify in Indonesia
In a statement, overseas Filipino workers group Migrante said that they are confident the decision to allow Veloso’s written testimony would be a precedent to future cases.
“It shall also serve as a precedent for overseas Filipinos who may in troublesome circumstances later find themselves victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment,” Migrante said in a statement.
The group added that they are hopeful that Veloso would soon be reunited with her family in the Philippines.
